New Orleans Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton said he would play this week on his high ankle sprain if this were Week 1 of the regular season, but the plan is likely to shut him out of game action until the Redskins game in a couple of weeks.

Lofton said he sustained his high ankle sprain on the fifth play of last week's preseason loss to Jacksonville. Lofton said he played about 25 more reps on the injured ankle.

"It's just disappointing," Lofton said. "You put in all of the work in the offseason. Preseason is almost done and you get hurt with an injury like this, it kind of sets you back a little bit. We're staying positive. We know in the long run that I haven't missed a game in my entire career. I don't plan on missing any yet."

Lofton said that he suffered a similar injury with three games remaining last season in Atlanta and he played through it not missing a game. Lofton added that it doesn't put him back at all as far as being mentally ready for the season.

"Physically, it slows me down just a little bit," Lofton said. "Mentally, I'm still in all of the meetings and going out to practice and watching all of the practice film and pushing myself mentally to get ready to go."

A Week 1 return may be too optimistic for linebacker David Hawthorne. Hawthorne didn't want to talk with the media on Tuesday as he was on crutches after having surgery to repair his left meniscus on Monday. Interim coach Joe Vitt said the team hopes Hawthorne could be back for Week 1 on Monday.